Dr Rakesh Malviya calls for filling vacancies, higher health spending and stronger public healthcare infrastructure
Bhopal: Doctors, health workers and public health organisations have demanded immediate withdrawal of the proposed process to place 18 Community Health Centres in Rewa, Dewas and Guna districts under private operation. They have also called for filling vacant posts of doctors and health personnel, increasing the state health budget and strengthening government health institutions in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards.
This was informed by Dr Rakesh Malviya and representatives of the United Organisations for Action Against Privatisation of Health Services, Madhya Pradesh, at a press conference organised here on Sunday.
The representatives said the government should address shortages of doctors, specialists, nursing staff and other health workers in public institutions instead of transferring the operation of government health facilities to private entities.
The joint platform has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister listing seven major demands. These include immediate cancellation of the proposed process involving the 18 CHCs, regular recruitment against all sanctioned vacancies in the Health Department, filling vacant teaching and support staff posts in government medical colleges, and expanding CHCs, Primary Health Centres and Sub-Health Centres in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards.
Key Demands and Salient Points
The organisations have demanded a substantial increase in the state health budget and the highest priority for primary healthcare services. They have also called for broad consultation with public health experts, medical organisations, health workers, people’s organisations and local communities before major health policy decisions are taken.
The coalition said the state should move towards a strong, accountable and accessible public healthcare system aligned with the goal of Universal Health Care, rather than expanding privatisation.
‘Real Problem Is Underinvestment and Human Resource Shortage’
Speaking at the press conference, Dr Rakesh Malviya said the real challenge facing healthcare services in Madhya Pradesh was not the absence of privatisation but inadequate investment in the public health system, a large number of vacant posts and insufficient health infrastructure.
Citing Rural Health Statistics 2021-22, the coalition claimed that Madhya Pradesh faces a shortage of 4,134 Sub-Health Centres, 1,045 Primary Health Centres and 245 Community Health Centres. It also pointed to longstanding vacancies involving doctors, specialists, nurses, laboratory technicians and other health personnel.
‘If Doctors Are Scarce, Where Will Private Operators Find Them?’
Dr Malviya and other representatives questioned the basic premise of the proposed outsourcing model. They argued that if the core problem was a shortage of specialists and health personnel, the government should first fill sanctioned vacancies in the public healthcare system through regular recruitment.
They maintained that transferring government health institutions to private operators would not provide a sustainable solution. The coalition also expressed concern that profit-driven models could make affordable healthcare more difficult to access for poor families, farmers, workers, tribal communities, women and other vulnerable groups.
Coalition Flags Major Gaps in Public Health Infrastructure
The press material cited the Medical Education Department’s 2025-26 annual report to state that Madhya Pradesh has 55 district hospitals, 51 trauma centres, 158 civil hospitals, 348 Community Health Centres, 1,442 Primary Health Centres, 10,256 Sub-Health Centres and five polyclinics.
The coalition further claimed that 2,689 of 3,698 specialist doctor posts and 728 of 6,513 medical officer posts remain vacant, describing the shortages as a major challenge to accessible and quality healthcare in the state.
Concerns Raised Over Maternal and Child Health
The memorandum referred to the Sample Registration System Bulletin and stated that while India’s infant mortality rate has fallen to 24 per 1,000 live births, Madhya Pradesh continues to record 35 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The organisations said delayed treatment, weak referral systems, shortage of specialists and inadequate access to quality healthcare in rural areas underlined the need to strengthen public institutions rather than outsource them.
Earlier Privatisation Attempts Cited
The representatives also referred to earlier attempts to involve private operators in public health institutions in Madhya Pradesh. The memorandum mentioned a 2015 attempt involving Alirajpur district hospital and Jobat Community Health Centre, a 2020-21 proposal related to district hospital privatisation, and further efforts in 2024-25 to involve the private sector in district hospitals.
According to the coalition, these moves had faced opposition from doctors, health workers and civil society organisations.
Constitutional Responsibility Highlighted
The joint platform invoked Article 21 of the Constitution, relating to the right to life, and Article 47 under the Directive Principles of State Policy, arguing that improvement of public health is a primary responsibility of the state.
Dr Malviya said healthcare should be treated as a basic right of citizens and that the government’s priority should be to strengthen public health services.
